By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Naked Bike
Moto Guzzi Griso 1200 8V (MY2007) vs 1200 Sport (MY2006)
Moto Guzzi Griso 1200 8V vs 1200 Sport: no fairing, no excuses. Here's how to pick.
You'll feel the Moto Guzzi Griso 1200 8V's long frame and high-set weight the moment a tight bend calls for quick steering. It doesn't hustle there, and every input at the bars has to be deliberate. The Moto Guzzi 1200 Sport's gold fork legs look hand-finished.
So which one do you buy?
The 1200 Sport has the edge if…
Sporty riding on twisty roads
By a nose: 1200 Sport
On a twisty road, the 1200 Sport edges ahead. Credit better suspension. Not by enough to settle it alone.
What makes each one tick
Griso 1200 8V
The Griso's chassis holds its line through fast sweepers, and it doesn't wander as the pace climbs. Hairpins ask for patience. The throttle answers with 80 lb-ft (108 Nm) of shove that builds hardest in the middle of the rev range. Up top, the twin's still rushing for more.
1200 Sport
The suspension swallows bumps whole. The air-cooled twin growls through every gear.
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The Griso 1200 8V makes more peak power: 110 hp (81 kW) vs 96 hp (71 kW).
- The Griso 1200 8V makes more peak torque: 80 lb-ft (108 Nm) vs 74 lb-ft (100 Nm).
- The 1200 Sport has the larger fuel tank: 6.1 US gal (23 L) vs 4.4 US gal (16.5 L).
Which one for the way you ride
Comfortable long-distance riding
Look elsewhere
Big miles aren't where either one shines. You'll be watching for the next rest stop.
A confidence-building first motorcycle
Both miss here
For a brand-new rider, both are the wrong place to start. Learn the basics on a smaller bike first.
On commuting and running costs, these two are a wash. That's where your budget and your inseam get the final say.
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
Griso 1200 8V
What owners say
Strengths
- Torque-laden, characterful V-twin
- Premium fit and finish
Trade-offs
- Slow steering, not a corner-carver
1200 Sport
What owners say
Strengths
- Soulful engine character
- Beautiful detailing and equipment
Known problems to check before you buy
Griso 1200 8V
- Early valvetrain wear (flat tappet failure) Pre-2012 1200 8V engines suffer from premature camshaft and lifter wear due to inadequate hardening. Recommended upgrade to roller tappets.
- Electrical gremlins and CKP sensor failure Poor connector quality, oxidation, and crankshaft sensor (CKP) failures can cause occasional misfires, stalling, or rough running.
1200 Sport
- Flat tappet / cam follower wear Both intake and exhaust cam followers can wear excessively, leading to a noisy valvetrain and potential engine damage. Moto Guzzi later introduced roller tappets as a fix. The problem often appears between 12,000 and 31,000 mi (20,000 and 50,000 km).
- Intermittent starter engagement The starter motor occasionally fails to turn when the button is pressed, particularly after a hot run. The bike may need to cool for 30 minutes to two hours before restarting.
What they share
- Seat height
- 31.5 in (800 mm)
- Displacement
- 1151 cc
- Engine
- 90° V-twin
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Final drive
- Shaft
- Front tire
- 120/70-17
- Rear tire
- 180/55-17
Where the spec sheets split
| Griso 1200 8V | 1200 Sport | |
|---|---|---|
| Dry weight | 489 lb (222 kg) | 505 lb (229 kg) |
| Griso 1200 8V | 1200 Sport | |
|---|---|---|
| Cooling | Air/oil-cooled | Air-cooled |
| Power | 110 hp (81 kW) | 96 hp (71 kW) |
| Torque | 80 lb-ft (108 Nm) | 74 lb-ft (100 Nm) |
| Griso 1200 8V | 1200 Sport | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel capacity | 4.4 US gal (16.5 L) | 6.1 US gal (23 L) |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| Griso 1200 8V | 1200 Sport | |
|---|---|---|
| ABS | Not offered | Option (from 2011) |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
